Column overloading in LC vs GC.

[lgchrom]

I understand that column overloading on GC can affect resolution and can alter retention times. As long as this is not a problem for a determination , then it should not affect quantitation.

How about LC?

[tom jupille]

Depends on what kind of overload:

- Detector overload: the chromatography is OK, but you are out of the linear range of the detector. Resolution will probably look OK; peak shape may or may not look OK (if you totally saturate the detector you may "flat-top" the peak); quantitation will *definitely* be affected.

- Volume overload: the peaks will be wider than they should be because of the additional "extra-column" volume. Resolution will be impacted. Quantitation should be OK (aside from integration problems generated by the loss of resolution).

- Mass overload: retention time will decrease and the peak shape will suffer. Resolution will be impacted. Quantitation should be OK so long as you are not also overloading the detector and aside from integration problems due to resolution loss and/or tailing.

[lgchrom]

Thanks for your reply. I was talking about column overload. Not detector overload. So yeah basically it's the same as for GC?

[tom jupille]

Yes

[CLSgroup]

You will also notice some peak fronting in some cases.

[tom jupille]

Yes, but fronting is *much* less common than tailing. A "boy-scout-merit-badge-level" explanation of both is here:
viewtopic.php?f=31&t=18426

The fronting part is about 9 minutes in.